On March 20, 2014, Jennifer Hand, a two-time Richmont graduate, released her first book 31 Days to Coming Alive. Since the book’s release, it has been on Amazon’s list of bestselling devotionals. The print version of the book will be available for purchase at the end of April.

The idea for this devotional book first came to Hand while studying at Richmont. Receiving her Master of Science in Psychological Studies and Master of Arts degree in Professional Counseling, Hand came to Richmont intending to learn practical counseling techniques and use them to help others find freedom.

Her book, 31 Days to Coming Alive, helps people easily connect their hearts with Christ in order to come alive in their daily lives. Each daily devotional is written to connect scripture to reader’s hearts using life stories and topics include: coming alive in confidence, coming alive in prayer, coming alive in courage, coming alive in your common, and coming alive in community. These devotions speak to the reader’s soul and the heart at the end of each day and include a few questions or directives to practically apply the concepts.

“I did not imagine that my time at Richmont would revolutionize my walk with the Lord,” Hand said. “Through my classes in Spiritual Direction, God developed in me a deep longing and calling to help others connect in deeper heart ways with Christ.”

In between her years at Richmont, Hand also served for two years as a missionary in Nepal. After graduating in May 2012 she started Coming Alive Ministries to help people come alive in Christ through counseling, conferences and written resources. Today, Coming Alive Ministries provides opportunities for women to come alive in Christ through conferences and retreats, counseling, and written and multimedia resources. In particular, the conferences are designed to encourage attendees to live alive in Christ through worship, the Word, laughter, fellowship and fun. While teaching approximately 40 retreats and conferences a year across the globe, Hand also engages missionary families in counseling as a professional counselor.

Master’s student, Sylvain Panu, represented Richmont Graduate University at the Southeastern Psychological Association’s (SEPA) annual conference on Friday, March 7. Panu, who submitted a presentation proposal last fall, was selected to present his thesis research via a poster session at the 2014 conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Mentored by Richmont faculty members Dr. Mary Plisco and John Hughes, Panu’s thesis is titled: The Effects of Traditional Martial Arts on Mindfulness and Psychological Well-Being.

“I was excited to present my thesis research because martial arts have had a huge impact on my life,” said Panu. “I love the idea of using activities as a part of therapy. I am looking forward to combining a passion of mine with psychology and adding to a body of research that will hopefully support martial arts as an effective form of intervention in therapy.”

“In his exploration of traditional martial arts and their relationship to a person’s development of mindfulness and general psychological well-being, Sylvain has been able to take a passion of his and lay the groundwork for some potentially impactful research,” said Hughes. “His study combines a timely topic with ancient traditions, and honors the Creator and created by addressing the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. I am glad to have had the opportunity to join Sylvain in this journey and am very proud of what he has been able to accomplish thus far.”

According to SEPA’s web site, they represent the “…largest psychological organization in the southeast and one of largest in the United States.” Seeking to “…advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare…” SEPA’s mission is “…to stimulate the exchange of scientific and professional ideas across the diverse areas of psychological inquiry and application.”

“Richmont has, for many years, had a significant presence at the SEPA conference,” said Bob Rodgers, Richmont’s President. “We are proud of Sylvain’s work, thankful for two incredible faculty mentors and are pleased to contribute to initiate a new discussion on such an important research topic.”

Richmont Faculty, Staff and Students Prepare to Present at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies Annual Conference

This April 3-5, more than 20 Richmont faculty members, current students and alumni will be presenting at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference, according to the CAPS web site, “…brings students, professors, clinicians, researchers, pastors and others around the integration of the behavioral sciences and Christian faith and spirituality.”

The three-day conference will offer plenary sessions and workshops that span a wide range of psychological conversations. At a number of these sessions, individuals affiliated with Richmont will offer presentations and poster sessions. Additionally, several Richmont faculty members are serving in conference leadership positions and as track coordinators. Specifically, Dr. Dan Sartor and Dr. Mary Plisco are serving as the Assistant Conference Coordinator and the Volunteer Coordinator, respectively. Similarly, Drs. Tim Sisemore, Keny Felix, Jim Siwy, and DeAnne Terrell are serving as coordinators for the Academic/Research, Clinical Practice and Cross-Cultural/International Tracks.

“This CAPS conference is a wonderful opportunity for Richmont faculty and students to share their contributions to the fields of counseling and psychology with their peers and the community at large,” said Bob Rodgers, Richmont’s President. “We are incredibly grateful to have so many thought leaders at Richmont and are looking forward to a successful conference.”

This year, presentations by Richmont faculty and students include the following:

-Nathan Sharp (Richmont student) and Dr. Dan Sartor (Richmont faculty) will present: Grace and Shame as Factors of Disclosure or Concealment of Same-Sex Attraction among Men from Christian Families of Origin.

-Ashley Dillon (Richmont student) and Dr. Timothy Sisemore (Richmont faculty) will present: Adopting Parents’ View of Grace and Report of Behavior and Mood of Biological Children Before and After the Adoption of a Sibling.

-Jessica Richards (Richmont Student) and Dr. James Siwy (Richmont Adjunct faculty) will present: The Impact of Process Groups on Community: A Survey of Perceived Cohesion and Implications for Church Communities.

Master of Arts in Ministry Degree Program Approved for Online Format

On Wednesday, February 26, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) approved Richmont’s proposal to offer the Master of Arts in Ministry degree in a fully online format. This will be the university’s first master’s degree program to be offered online.

“Since Richmont’s School of Ministry began in 2012, we have had prospective students from around the country asking for online course options,” said Richmont’s President, Bob Rodgers. “The Master of Arts in Ministry strikes a desirable balance between theological learning and practical application in the areas of discipleship, spiritual formation and leadership. Since students cannot always move to one of our campuses in order to take classes we are therefore excited to meet the clear national demand for coursework through online instructional delivery.”

The university looks forward to offering current ministry curriculum online beginning in August of this year. Typically, students complete coursework over a period of six academic semesters and, while there will be an in-person program orientation for classmates to get to know one another, coursework will be conducted remotely

“What a great encouragement it is to receive the approval by SACSCOC for the School of Ministry to move its entire Masters of Ministry degree online,” said Dr. Leland Eliason, Dean of the School of Ministry. “This two year English track degree is uniquely designed to equip those who are called into ministry whether in churches or faith based organizations or those who want to be better prepared to serve God within marketplace ministries.”

Since the beginning, feedback from faculty and students in the School of Ministry has exceeded expectations. For two years the program has successfully offered coursework via evening classes and intensive weekend class formats. The online version of the degree will broaden the School of Minstry’s reach as the curriculum that has received such enthusiastic endorsement from the students who have been enrolled in the residential program during the past two years will be offered virtually. Click here to learn more about the School of Ministry or to apply for the fall 2014 semester.